Rodent Extermination Knoxville, TN

Rodent Facts

Per the Centers for Disease Control, rats and mice spread over 35 diseases worldwide. These diseases can be spread by direct handling of the rodents and through contact with their feces, saliva, urine or through rodent bites.

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These diseases can also be spread by fleas, ticks, and mites that have fed on the infected rodent.

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Rodents can be difficult to keep out of structures we inhabit. Mice can access through openings the size of a dime and rats can enter through openings as big as a quarter.

Types of Rodents

House Mouse(Mus domesticus)

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The house mouse is found throughout the United States and are the most commonly encountered rodent. They are greyish in color and the body is 2 1/2" to 3 3/4" in length with the tail 2 3/4" to 4" long.

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House mice can reproduce rapidly by giving birth up to 12 young(generally 5-6) every 3 weeks and a total of 35 young per year. The young reach sexual maturity at 5-7 weeks. Mice can live longer in captivity, but normal life span in the wild is 12-18 months.

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House mice territory ranges from 4-5 feet dependent upon food sources. They can obtain water needed from the food they eat and thus do not need a water source. House mice are colorblind and can only see clearly for 6 inches. In homes and businesses, mice will consume anything we consume. They will use fabric, insulation and paper for nesting material.

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Signs of a House Mouse Infestation

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Visually seeing a mouse within your home or business.

Finding droppings which are pointed on each end and 1/8" to 1/4" in length.

Damaged food items. Mice prefer grains and cereals, but will consume most items we do.

Visual gnaw marks.

Observing tracks with 4-toed front prints and 5-toed back prints.

Finding oily rub marks in rodent runways along walls and holes being used.

Physically finding nesting areas made of fabric, cotton and paper.

Finding burrowing in insulation.

Smell of urine in heavy infestations.

House Mouse Prevention

Seal all exterior entrances 1/4" or larger including plumbing entrances.

Keep doors closed when not in use including garage doors.

Use door sweeps on doors with gap of 1/4" or greater and astragals on double doors if gap is 1/4" or greater between the 2 doors.

Garbage containers should have sealed lids to prevent attracting mice.

Exterior pet food containers should be removed after pet has eaten with no food left to attract mice to your home.

Bird feeders are discouraged from use due to the fact of spillage attracting rodents.

Store items in sealed containers in storage areas to prevent nesting and store items off the floor to allow proper visual inspection.

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Norway Rat(Rattus norvegicus)

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The Norway rat is also called the brown rat, wharf rat, gray rat, sewer rat, barn rat or house rat. They are found throughout the United States. These rats are brownish in color with scattered black hairs and greyish to white underneath. Norway rats body is 7" to 9 1/2" long with the tail being 6" to 8" long and shorter than the body. The body is thick with a blunt nose.

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These rodents can breed year around but reproduction tends to slow down during colder months. The litter size ranges from 8-12 pups with 4-7 litters per year. The juveniles reach sexual maturity in 2-3 months. Their lifespan can be up to 2 years in the wild.

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Norway rats territory ranges from 25 to 100 feet from the nest. They require 1-2 ounces of water per day. These rodents are nocturnal with good hearing. They are very good at sensing small vibrations and use their paws and whiskers to navigate. They will eat all types of discarded foods or other foods left accessible. Nests are formed within burrows and normally consist of garbage and leaves.

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Signs of a Norway Rat Infestation

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Visually seeing a Norway rat within your home or business or on the exterior.

In commercial facilities and in residential basements, screening can be used on drains to prevent Norway rat entrance from sewers.

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Roof Rat(Rattus rattus)

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The Roof rat is also called the black rat, palm rat, fruit rat or ship rat. They are found in coastal areas and the southern third of the United States. These rats are dark brown to black with a lighter colored underbelly. Roof rats body is 6" to 8" long with the tail being 7" to 10" long and longer than the body. The ears are large with a pointed nose.

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These rodents can breed year around. The litter size ranges from 5-8 pups with 3-4 litters per year. The juveniles reach sexual maturity in about 3 months.

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Roof rats territory ranges from 100-300 feet from the nest. They are colorblind with poor eyesight. They have a good sense of smell, taste, touch and hearing. They are very good at sensing small vibrations and use their whiskers and guard hairs to navigate. They will eat all types of food when necessary, but prefer fruits and nuts .

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Roof rats are more aerial than Norway rats and are often found living in trees and upper levels of structures including the attic. These rodents are very neophobic which ultimately affects their control measures. Setting traps for roof rats on the floor will ultimately bring failure in control. As with all rodents, inspection is the key to control and placement of traps along runways and in harborage sites which will normally be in upper levels of the structure.

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Signs of a Roof Rat Infestation

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Visually seeing a Roof rat within your home or business or on the exterior in trees, on the roof and running along power lines.

Finding droppings which are pointed on each end and 1/2" in length.

Damaged food items. Roof rats prefer fruits and nuts.

Visual gnaw marks around the roof and eaves of the building.

Observing tunnels in insulation.

Finding oily rub marks in rodent runways along walls and holes being used.

Smell of urine in heavy infestations.

Hollowed out fruit in fruit trees.

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Roof Rat Prevention

Seal all exterior entrances 1/2" or larger including plumbing entrances and any gaps on roof and around the eaves of the structure.

Call Epituer today in Knoxville, TN for your FREE business or home pest control and exterminator evaluation. The first step in resolving the rodent issue is identifying the type of rodent and the entry points being used to gain access. Epituer offers quality rodent control at affordable costs. Click here for additional details on Epituer's approach to rodent elimination and pricing.